Easy Thankgiving Table Setting Ideas

I know Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but it is not too late to get creative with your tablescape. Here are a few inspirational finds to get you started.

I love this table setting from Southern Living. Mixing the rustic with the refined in this outdoor setting is so inviting. On a perfect fall day bring the good china out to create a table like this one. This simple centerpiece is made with a few floral stems and leaves from the yard. Simply arranged on a platter - just lovely!

One of my favorite magazine has been Victoria. The magazine was just getting its start as I was planning my wedding back in the late 80's. I saved every issue for awhile because the photography was so beautiful and they had such a romantic feel. I one day had to part with them knowing I could not keep them forever. Here are some lovely Thanksgiving ideas from Victoria.

Ladies Home Journal has many nice Thanksgiving ideas. I love the small clay plots as Pilgrim hats - fun for the kids to make. Pumpkin Patch recipe here.

This apple cider looks so inviting with a slice of apple on top and a cinnamon stick tucked in the side. The recipe is below from Ladies Home Journal.

Spiced Hot Apple Cider

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 10 minutes Start to Finish: 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 quart unfiltered apple cider
3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, plus additional for garnish
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
8 (1/4-inch-thick) apple slices, seeds removed, for garnish
Directions
1. Bring cider, cinnamon sticks, and pumpkin spice to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Pour hot cider into mugs and top with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Makes 8 servings.

New Moon/Twilight Party Ideas

With the opening of the New Moon/Twilight Saga this Friday, I thought it would be fun to feature a few great party ideas. I have my own Twilight enthusiast in my own home - we have been counting down the days!

1 & 4 Here are some great download drink labels and quotes to frame from Hostess With The Mostess. Get the downloads here for the labels and quotes.

2 See this great apple place card and amazing tablescape at Tara's Twilight Party Blog. She has collected some great Twilight Party ideas.

3 These wonderful cookies were created by Amber - she created them for a birthday party.


1 & 4 Here are a few ideas I created when the original Twilight Movie came out last year. Visit the previous post to see more photos and a few food ideas I found.

2 These Vampire Bites are from Bright Ideas - get the recipe here.

3 These favor tags were created by Tiffany for her Twilight party. See more of her decorations and party details here.

Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Table Settings

Make the kids feel special with some of these great kid friendly table settings.

1, 2 & 3 - Martha Stewart has several kid friendly table settings. Get the instruction for these great ideas here.

4 - Country Living has this creative craft paper table setting - instructions here.

Autumn Dinner Party Tablescape

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch. This is an Autumn Dinner Party my friend had on her porch a few years ago. She made these beautiful tall floral centerpieces that included twinkle lights. Fall leaves and glass tealight candles ran down the center of the table.

She used a mix of Autumn colored napkins tied with a little fall garland.

A small photo tied around the wine glasses served as the place card. I love these wine glasses...they flip over and you can use either side.

The handmade invitation.

Handmade menu.

Here are a few menu suggestions to get you started on your

Autumn Dinner Party!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Roasted Parsnip Soup by Emeril Lagasse - recipe here.

Sausage and Pumpkin Lasagna by Rachael Ray - Recipe here.

Best Ever Green Bean Casserole by Alton Brown - Recipe here.

Cheesecake-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes

These aren't really Moldy Cupcakes, but they were the night of my Girls Gothtail Party. They are really wonderful Cheesecake-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes. I found the recipe in my Everyday With Rachael Ray Magazine. The cupcakes are great, but the icing sounded very complicated, so I found a simple cream cheese icing recipe. They were delicious and a hit that night.

I am participating in Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. Stop by her blog for more wonderful recipes!

I have included the recipe below, but keep in mind this is the full recipe with the icing. Ingredients listed also include the icing. I did not make this icing. When you read the instructions you will understand why.

Ingredients:
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 large eggs, plus 5 large egg whites
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup light brown sugar
Simmering water
3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces and chilled

Directions:
Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking liners. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar for 3 minutes. Beat in 1 egg white and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

In a bowl, whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, granulated sugar, oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture.

Layer each muffin cup with some of the pumpkin batter, then the cream cheese mixture, then more of the batter. Bake until springy to the touch, 25 minutes. Let cool.

Using the electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, remaining 4 egg whites and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fill a medium saucepan with enough simmering water to reach a depth of 1 inch; place the mixing bowl on top. Whisk the mixture until it registers 160° on an instant-read thermometer.

Transfer the bowl back to the mixer and beat at high speed until fluffy; lower the speed and beat to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat at high speed for 5 minutes. Beat in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. 6. Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag; pipe large rosettes on top of the cupcakes.

This is the Cream Cheese Frosting that I made - very good!

I made two changes based on the reviews. I only used one package of cream cheese and 1/4 butter.

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

Dark Candy Apples - A Perfect New Moon Movie Treat

These are the most spectacular candy apples I have ever seen. This usual kid friendly treat is now decadent and dark. The recipe and instruction can be found at MattBites.com. These are perfect to make for the up and coming Twilight/New Moon movie. Use these as a table centerpiece, on a buffet or at each place setting as a place card - just add a tag with names to the sticks. Fabulous!

Posh Pumpkins

I found these amazing velvet Posh Squash made by Olive Juice & Co. These are so beautiful. I see that all the kits to make your own velvet pumpkins are sold out for this fall, but make sure you check the site next year.


I found the Posh Squash on this wonderful creative blog - EAB Designs. EAB Designs made the ones below.

I love these chenille pumpkins as well. Cindy Roberts, of Raggidy Edges, creates these out of vintage chenille fabrics.

You can buy these wonderful apothecary bottle with vintage embellishments at EAB Designs etsy shop.